Shanghai to London flight path: PVG to LHR

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to London. The left side wins on both ends of the flight — Shanghai's river delta and urban sprawl at takeoff, and London's Thames-lined skyline on approach. The long cruise portion over Siberia and Scandinavia is largely featureless from either side, so the takeoff and landing scenery decide the winner.

During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing PVG heading east then turning northwest, the left side gives views over the Yangtze River delta and Shanghai's dense urban sprawl before the route turns toward inland China. The right side mostly shows the flat coastal plain and East China Sea haze. Notable sights include: Yangtze River estuary, Shanghai urban sprawl, Chongming Island, Hangzhou Bay.

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach to LHR from the east, the left side offers views over central London including the Thames bends, before the final turn onto the westbound runway approach. The right side typically shows the flatter Essex and Kent countryside with less recognizable urban detail. Notable sights include: River Thames bends, Canary Wharf, City of London skyline, Windsor area farmland.

The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Heathrow (LHR) takes 11h 50m.

The route crosses Mongolia's Gobi Desert fringe, the vast forests and lakes of Siberia, the Ural Mountains, and often passes near the Baltic Sea and southern Scandinavia before descending into the UK.